Few Students Fly, Fly Away…

Sounds good in theory, you get out of the house, you gain independence, but when the reality hits for the students going to an out of state college, is it the right choice?

What is it that makes young adults want to move to another state to get an education? Won’t they miss their family? Aren’t they scared of flying, or unsure of the thought of flying to their new “home”?

“I’m not scared to fly,” said Lars Anderson, a senior at Penn Manor who is considering attending Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Texas, Virgina and Florida could all be new homes to Penn Manor students that are soon to be freshmen in college.

When students go out of state for college, some may need to fly. Photo courtesy of 123rf.com

“I don’t mind distance,” said Anderson

“Winters are mild,” Anderson said, who noted weather in Texas would be a nice change compared to the rough seasons we have here.

When recently visiting a local university, he said, “I don’t want to go to a party school, I didn’t like the atmosphere.”

Anderson plans to come home for the major holidays.

Elly Raush, a home schooled senior, who signed to Jacksonville University to play volleyball will also be flying away to get an education.

“Nope, I’m not afraid to fly, I get car sick easily, so it will be much nicer than driving!” Raush said.

From a parent’s perspective, things can be different – or not at all.

“He’s a big boy,” said history teacher Richard Brenton whose son Tyler flies to Seattle to attend University of Washington.

“Worried about him flying? No! He’s very independent,” he said, explaining, “He flies back and forth a minimum of four times a school year.”

The expenses may be a reason for parents to disregard their child’s dreams of going away to an out of state college, but Brenton said that with adequate planning, travel expenses may not make a huge difference.

“Thanksgiving tickets are more expensive. Along with buying plane tickets, family holidays may need to be adjusted.” he said.

To help the adjustment to the style of college life, students may need to find a new clique of friends to keep from getting home sick.

“The first three months were hard, Tyler was in a new place and didn’t know anyone, but that is how you grow,” said Brenton. “College is a very selfish time for people. It needs to be all about them.”